Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-13

ike 1unrfel Nho iuanaHohS ~
dock kept his temper wonderfully wen.
Still there was bitter feeling between
the two when they parted.
81 shall have TO clip my young ban
tam's wings" said Paddock to himself,
as ne mounted his dog-cart ana drove
away toward town.
Charlie promised himself that he would
shake himself free from all association
with Paddock and put an end to his
visits ct Ladyprioro. il only he won the
stakes with "the Smith"
Before breakfast next morning young
Lilbum went out, hoping to investigate
that matter OF tho crypt. He knew the
spot it was were the old wall OF Lady
priors bordered on tho village green.
There was n good deal of green and com
mon Just about the village, with old walls
that enclosed nothing in particular and
massive barn of such dimensions that
you might have put good-sizcd church
inside it. steople and all. The level OF
Che green rose abruptly against the wall,
forming q smooth, tllrfy bank, and
Charlie, sealing the wall at this point,
found that the level of the ground was
much higher outside than within the
grounds. Thus, while the wall was easily
enough scaled from the side oil the
village, deep drop WAS required to
reach the surface of the sward within.
Charlie dropped down lightly enough,
and fastening the tool.house door be-
hind him began his investigations. The
lock of the oaken door was rusty and
hard to turn. The massive Oaken door
chung to the jambs as if held by some
thing within, but yielded ut last and
swung slowly back, grating on its hinges.
Yes, here was the crypt, cool, silent,
and solemn. A soft light filtered in
through some unseen opening, reveal
ing round massive arches sustained by
still more ponderous columns. All was
plain and simple, and there was nothing
inside but an oaken chair and old carved
table, and in one corner an ancient stone
coffin, with a cross elaborately carved
upon the lid. Upon the table stood
vase with the remains OF faded flowers,
book Git was old Montaigne), and open
at the passage Miserable, according
TO my opinion, is a man "a feminine
hand had annotated in the margin in
pencil, "or a woman "-"who has not
at home place to himself where he can
make much OF himself, where he may
hide"
Charlie breathed sigh of relief.
There was no mystery here then this
was his mothers summer-house that she
had discovered and kept to herself. 1t
had been a hiding place, perhaps, in the
troubled days of civil wars, and before
them the last resting-place of the fathers
of the Priory. He looked about for
other relics of his mothers former
presence. and found in one corner little
ivory tatting shuttle, with thread still
attached to it. He let it lie there, and
then he picked up little diary, evident
" the repository OF his mothers secret
condolences. Looking over the pages
hastily, he caught sight OF his own name
repeated here and there with some little
incident recorded Of his childish develop
ment. One passage, to which his atten-
ton was attracted, ran thus:
al am unhappy at winning all this
money, and yet | can't help going on.
What shall I do with it? If give it to
George he will spend it. l should like
to build church with it, or perhaps a
hospital and yet. after all, l should
like to keep it for Charlie to say to HIM
some day when he is overwhelmed with
youthful troubles Here, Charlie, here
is plenty of money, dip your hands into
it 90, spend it and be happy For 1t
is so easy to be happy when we are
young. alas >.
1.-The poor mother " said Charlie,
softened, and then, after pause :
"Well, 1 suppose the dad spent the
money. Never mind, I've got youth
aud health and the best sweetheart in
the world, and 'Wayland Smith to
make the running for me-"
Charlie locked up the place, leaving
everything as he had found it, But all
he had seen strengthened his resolution
Of keeping the Priors, if by any means
he could clear off its membranes. 10
have stranger cropping about the place
and Transforming it would be desecra-
ton. Then he went to look for Dell,
and happily found her coming across
the rose garden that was now in its full
beauty. Dell was looking for him, in
fact, having budget of news to impart
The stepmother had Just contided to
her that she was going to marry again
to marry Mr.. Paddock, who had made
her a most eligible offer. MIR. Paddock
might be a self-made man, but he was OF
the most distinguished presence. with
the cnfrcc to the very best society, and
OF great wealth. Issuing from her pres
ent retirement, Lady Richards intended
to take her place in the fashionable
world. and, under such auspices, Dell
might expect to be settled advantage
ouslv before long. Lady Richards had
not failed to remind her stepdauGhter
that she was entirely dependent upon
her. and that upon her dutiful conduct
and obedience depended all her future
prospects
Charlie was highly indignant at the
news. He went at once to his aunt and
demonstrated with her on what he called
/ her infatuation. The man was well
enough, he said, as a chance acquaint-
ance, but neither his character nor his
breeding was of kind to warrant him
in seeking to enter his Charles family.
And his object was evidently merely to
get hold of the revenues of the Combe
property and apply them to his own uses.
/ Lady Richards was, of course, indignant
at Charles interference, and the climax
was reached when he asserted that lie
would not allow Dell to remain under her
stepmother's roof for single hour after
Lady Richardss marriage to that man.
Nor would he have the wedding cele-
brated at the Priors. Lady Richards
must leave before that event took place.
He would send her formal notice I'M
less she would promise him as much as
that.
In all this Charlie was very high
handed and perhaps unjust, and his
threats clearly went beyond his powers.
For what voice had he in the disposition
of Miss Richards's future? And as for
Ladypriors, it was doubtful whether be
could call it really his own.
81 don't intend to leave the Prors, u
cried Lady Richards, Indignantly. "It
is you who will have to leaye-not ]. j
have some one to protect me now, sir,
and he will see that you are put i'll your